The Sparrow Hawk 1 1 1 



bears it away to the perch, to be devourea at leisure. 

 I have often watched these birds feasting upon grass- 

 hoppers; and so intently were they engaged that I 

 could approach very near their watch towers without 

 seeming to disturb them in the least. One August 

 afternoon I very unexpectedly came upon a sparrow 

 hawk as he sat upon a stub, and as he paid no atten- 

 tion to me I watched him for some time. Within 

 half an hour he caught and brought to the stub twelve 

 large grasshoppers, which he devoured with apparent 

 relish. This hawk feeds upon other insects also, 

 seeming to have a special liking for crickets and 

 spiders. 



When the insects upon which he feedis are scarce, 

 he gives more attention to the capture of mice; at 

 such times he may be found about haystacks and 

 even farm buildings, ready to capture any mouse 

 that dares venture from under cover. Probably when 

 food is scarce this hawk occasionally captures a bird, 

 but this is the exception, rather than the rule. The 

 fact that it is a hawk and has been known even occa- 

 sionally to capture a bird or a chicken is, in the eyes 

 of many people, reason enough for exterminating it. 

 They do not stop to consider the great amount of 

 good it has done in destroying mice alone. From 

 the nature of its food, this bird should be protected 



